Friday, January 05, 2007

A story we have always enjoyed

Cousin Louie Tremava recounts the following tale of the Old Met, whichtook place 56 years ago today:

It was January 5th, 1951, after one of Helen Traubel's 4 performancesas The Marshallin. I was going to walk home but was curious about asmall knot of people outside the stage door on W. 40th St. anddecided to wait. Eventually the door opened and out came Mme.Traubel wrapped in mink. A man raised his hat and said, "SchöneMusik, madame." Traubel nodded her thanks and got into a waiting car.After a while the door opened again and out came Risë Stevens, alsowrapped in mink. The same man doffed his hat and repeated hiscompliment. Stevens smiled, said "Danke schön," and got into awaiting car. Another short wait and the door opened again. Out cameErna Berger, also wrapped in mink. This time a woman burbled, "Whatbeautiful music!" Berger said, "Oh no it wasn't, lady," and got intoa waiting car.

Thanks, cugino. Louie has such better stories than I, it must be said.